Applications open for $55 million in sustainable project funding

CALGARY, ALTA. — Applications for $55 million in sustainability funding for Alberta businesses are now being accepted.

The Energy Savings for Business Program from Emissions Reduction Alberta (ERA) offers incentives to eligible Alberta businesses and non-profits to choose commercially available high-efficiency products and onsite energy generation technologies.

Each applicant can seek up to $250,000 for each project with a maximum total of $500,000 per parent company. The funds go towards adopting new products and services. Funds are first-come, first-serve until they are allocated. Officials anticipate the program will stimulate over $196 million in new investment.

“The Energy Savings for Business Program supports a critical component of the economy — small- and medium-sized businesses,” said Steve MacDonald, ERA CEO, in a statement. “The program will give Alberta companies and contractors fast access to cost-effective incentives. It will accelerate the adoption of technologies that significantly reduce GHGs and help position Alberta as a leader in sustainable resource and energy use.”

ERA officials noted the program supports local skilled trades, contractors and suppliers such as HVAC businesses, insulation companies, lighting systems installers and electricians. All participating contractors must register to become eligible to participate in the program. Eligible contractors will be required to complete applications for pre-approval and submit all required documents. Before the program launched, 270 contractors from across the province already registered to participate.

All applications must include projects at facilities in Alberta. Eligible project elements include compressed air, process heating, refrigeration, food service, HVAC, motors and drives, water heating, solar PV, combined heat and power, lighting systems, building envelope and windows, and more.

The only industries or business types the program is not open to are “large emitters” as defined by TIER Regulation, new construction, federal and provincially owned buildings, and the institutional sector.

Officials are expecting nearly 4,000 applications. Once complete, the projects are anticipated to account for lifetime greenhouse gas reductions of 1.1 million tonnes of CO₂, create about 1,400 (direct and indirect) jobs and drive $300 million in economic activity.